NFL Makes Major Vikings Announcement Ahead of Draft

In the league memo, the Vikings were awarded the top compensatory draft pick, No. 97 in the third round, which they received as compensation for Kirk Cousins signing with the Atlanta Falcons last year.

Minnesota is one of just six teams to receive a third-rounder in the NFL's compensatory pick formula.

The Vikings were short on draft picks after a series of trades made last year. Minnesota gave the Houston Texans a 2024 and 2025 second-round pick for the No. 23 pick in last year's draft.

They paired that pick with third- and fourth-rounders to move up to 17th overall to land Dallas Turner.

Minnesota also gave up sixth- and seventh-round picks in this year's draft for a 2024 and 2025 fifth-round picks when it traded Za'Darius Smith to the Cleveland Browns.

Officially, the Vikings have four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft:

• Round 1, No. 24 overall
• Round 3, No. 97 overall
• Round 5, No. 139 overall
• Round 5, No. 160 overall

Bolstering the trenches in free agency gives Minnesota flexibility to pick the best player available at No. 24 overall or potentially trade back. 

There is a need for another running back to pair with Aaron Jones, but bolstering the cornerback room or the trenches further are also a high priority.

The third-round compensatory pick gives the Vikings foothold in Day 2 of the draft where they have more ability to move around the board and potentially address several of those positions in the top 100 picks. '